Can You Freeze Philadelphia Cream Cheese?

Updated onAugust 18, 2017

The Philadelphia cream cheese is probably the most popular cream cheese brand in the world. Cream cheese isn’t exactly cheap so what if you need to extend its shelf life? Can you freeze Philadelphia cream cheese? Yes, you can freeze Philadelphia cream cheese and the steps are quite easy. That’s great news for those who love buying cream cheese in bulk!

Now, before we get into the actual steps of freezing cream cheese, do note that slight texture changes will set on once cream cheese has been frozen and thawed. The cream cheese may also turn a little crumbly or it won’t be as creamy as it used to be.

When frozen, the cream cheese’s liquids and solids will separate and this will alter the texture of the cream cheese. Still, frozen and thawed cream cheese is safe to use in cooking and baking, don’t worry about it.

When kept in the fridge, cream cheese will stay fresh for a week or so. But when kept in the freezer, it will keep fresh indefinitely. However, we recommend consuming the cream cheese within a month or two after freezing it. Now let’s take a look at the step by step guide on how can you freeze Philadelphia cream cheese:

How to Freeze Philadelphia Cream Cheese?

If you’re freezing unopened blocks of cream cheese, there is no need to transfer the product to a different container. Just pop the blocks of cream cheese in the freezer. The foil wrapping and cardboard box provide enough protection against freezer burn.

As for leftover cream cheese, you need to transfer the product to a rigid plastic container with an airtight lid. However, if you’d like to divide the cream cheese into manageable portions, we recommend using resealable snack baggies to store the product.

Just spoon the cream cheese into your preferred container and then close the airtight lid or seal the plastic bag. With a marker, write the storage date then stick in the freezer.

How to Thaw Frozen Philadelphia Cream Cheese?

To thaw frozen Philadelphia cream cheese, just transfer the product to the fridge and leave to thaw for several hours to overnight. If you’re pressed for time, wrap the container in a clean towel and leave the cream cheese to thaw on the counter for an hour or two. If the cream cheese has gone runny or if there’s separation, just stir the cream cheese using a spoon. This will reincorporate all the ingredients.

Once the cream cheese has been thawed completely, it’s ready to use. But if you’d like to reheat the cream cheese, do it using the microwave. Heat in a microwave-safe bowl over high for 15 to 20 seconds.

Summary

From fresh fruit topping to cheesecakes, there are so many ways to use Philadelphia cream cheese! That’s why it’s always a good idea to buy cream cheese in bulk especially if you’re anticipating a special event. Now that you know how can you freeze Philadelphia cream cheese, go ahead and take advantage of that sale! Buy as much cream cheese as your freezer can handle so you’ll never run out!